U.S. patent number 10,773,746 [Application Number 16/146,359] was granted by the patent office on 2020-09-15 for adjustable steering column assembly.
This patent grant is currently assigned to THYSSENKRUPP AG, THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG. The grantee listed for this patent is THYSSENKRUPP AG, THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG. Invention is credited to Sascha Fricke, Helmut Kirmsze, Thomas Raich.
![](/patent/grant/10773746/US10773746-20200915-D00000.png)
![](/patent/grant/10773746/US10773746-20200915-D00001.png)
![](/patent/grant/10773746/US10773746-20200915-D00002.png)
![](/patent/grant/10773746/US10773746-20200915-D00003.png)
![](/patent/grant/10773746/US10773746-20200915-D00004.png)
![](/patent/grant/10773746/US10773746-20200915-D00005.png)
![](/patent/grant/10773746/US10773746-20200915-D00006.png)
![](/patent/grant/10773746/US10773746-20200915-D00007.png)
United States Patent |
10,773,746 |
Kirmsze , et al. |
September 15, 2020 |
Adjustable steering column assembly
Abstract
An adjustable steering column assembly includes a lower jacket,
a rake bracket, a rake guide, and a fastener coupling each. The
lower jacket has an attachment portion with an end, and a passage
extends from that end at least partially through the attachment
portion. The attachment portion end has upper and lower seating
faces extending into the passage. The rake bracket has a base
portion and an arm with an aperture. The rake guide has upper and
lower ends and a hole. The upper and lower ends respective have
configurations complementary to configurations of the upper and
lower seating faces, and the rake guide is positioned in the end of
the lower jacket attachment portion such that the rake guide upper
end mates with the upper seating face and such that the rake guide
lower end mates with the lower seating face.
Inventors: |
Kirmsze; Helmut (Schaan,
LI), Fricke; Sascha (Hard, AT), Raich;
Thomas (Vandans, AT) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG
THYSSENKRUPP AG |
Eschen
Essen |
N/A
N/A |
LI
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG (Eschen,
LI)
THYSSENKRUPP AG (Essen, DE)
|
Family
ID: |
1000005053221 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/146,359 |
Filed: |
September 28, 2018 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20200101999 A1 |
Apr 2, 2020 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62D
1/184 (20130101); B62D 1/183 (20130101); B62D
1/195 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B62D
1/184 (20060101); B62D 1/183 (20060101); B62D
1/19 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
102007039361 |
|
May 2008 |
|
DE |
|
2007261563 |
|
Oct 2007 |
|
JP |
|
Other References
EP Application No. 19199530.7, Extended European Search Report
dated Jan. 10, 2020, 11 pages. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Brown; Drew J
Attorney, Agent or Firm: thyssenkrupp North America, LLC
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. An adjustable steering column assembly, comprising: a lower
jacket having an attachment portion with an end, a passage
extending from the attachment portion end at least partially
through the attachment portion, the attachment portion end having
upper and lower seating faces extending into the passage; a rake
bracket having a base portion with an arm extending therefrom, the
arm having an aperture; a rake guide having upper and lower ends
and a hole, the upper end having a configuration complementary to a
configuration of the upper seating face, the lower end having a
configuration complementary to a configuration of the lower seating
face, the rake guide being positioned in the end of the lower
jacket attachment portion such that the rake guide upper end mates
with the upper seating face, such that the rake guide lower end
mates with the lower seating face, and such that the lower jacket
attachment portion prevents rotation of the rake guide, wherein the
rake guide upper end has a central curved area between rounded edge
areas, wherein the rake guide lower end has a central curved area
between rounded edge areas, wherein the central curved area of the
rake guide lower end includes at least one item selected from the
group consisting of the following: a low friction coating; a
lubricant pocket containing lubricant; and a first guide rail; and
a fastener coupling the lower jacket, the rake bracket, and the
rake guide, wherein the fastener passes through the aperture of the
rake bracket, the hole of the rake guide, and past the rake guide
in the passage.
2. The adjustable steering column assembly of claim 1, wherein at
least one item selected from the group consisting of the following
includes a low friction coating: the upper seating face of the
attachment portion end; the lower seating face of the attachment
portion end; and the upper end of the rake guide.
3. The adjustable steering column assembly of claim 2, wherein the
low friction coating of at least one of the upper seating face, the
lower seating face, and the upper end includes at least one item
selected from the group consisting of: sliding lacquer, molybdenum
disulphide, a plasmapolymeric coating, and graphite.
4. The adjustable steering column assembly of claim 2, wherein at
least one item selected from the group consisting of the following
includes a lubricant pocket containing a lubricant: the upper
seating face of the attachment portion end; the lower seating face
of the attachment portion end; and the upper end of the rake
guide.
5. The adjustable steering column assembly of claim 4, wherein: the
attachment portion lower end has a second guide rail protruding
from the lower seating face; and the rake guide includes the first
guide rail protruding from the lower end, the first guide rail of
the rake guide having a configuration complementary to a
configuration of the second guide rail of the attachment portion
lower end, interaction between the first guide rail of the rake
guide and the second guide rail of the attachment portion lower end
aiding in positioning the rake guide relative to the attachment
portion lower end.
6. The adjustable steering column assembly of claim 5, wherein: the
attachment portion end has an external perimeter formed by a
continuous line in a single plane; and the upper and lower seating
faces extend inwardly from the external perimeter into the
passage.
7. The adjustable steering column assembly of claim 1, wherein at
least one item selected from the group consisting of the following
includes a lubricant pocket containing a lubricant: the upper
seating face of the attachment portion end; the lower seating face
of the attachment portion end; and the upper end of the rake
guide.
8. The adjustable steering column assembly of claim 1, wherein: the
attachment portion lower end has a second guide rail protruding
from the lower seating face; and the rake guide includes the first
guide rail protruding from the lower end, the first guide rail of
the rake guide having a configuration complementary to a
configuration of the second guide rail of the attachment portion
lower end, interaction between the first guide rail of the rake
guide and the second guide rail of the attachment portion lower end
aiding in positioning the rake guide relative to the attachment
portion lower end.
9. The adjustable steering column assembly of claim 8, wherein the
central curved area of the rake guide lower end includes the first
guide rail, which protrudes from the central curved area of the
rake guide lower end.
10. The adjustable steering column assembly of claim 1, wherein:
the attachment portion end has an external perimeter formed by a
continuous line in a single plane; and the upper and lower seating
faces extend inwardly from the external perimeter into the
passage.
11. The adjustable steering column assembly of claim 1, wherein
multiple pieces collectively form the rake guide.
12. The adjustable steering column assembly of claim 1, wherein the
rake guide is a unitary member.
13. The adjustable steering column assembly of claim 1, further
comprising a second fastener coaxial with the fastener, the second
fastener further coupling the lower jacket to the rake bracket.
14. The adjustable steering column assembly of claim 1, wherein the
rake guide upper end includes at least one item selected from the
group consisting of the following: a low friction coating; a
lubricant pocket containing lubricant; and a guide rail.
15. An adjustable steering column assembly, comprising: a lower
jacket having an attachment portion with an end, a passage
extending from the attachment portion end at least partially
through the attachment portion, the attachment portion end having
upper and lower seating faces extending into the passage, wherein
the attachment portion end has an external perimeter formed by a
continuous line in a single plane, wherein the upper and lower
seating faces extend inwardly from the external perimeter into the
passage; a rake bracket having a base portion with an arm extending
therefrom, the arm having an aperture; a rake guide having upper
and lower ends and a hole, the upper end having a configuration
complementary to a configuration of the upper seating face, the
lower end having a configuration complementary to a configuration
of the lower seating face, the rake guide being positioned in the
end of the lower jacket attachment portion such that the rake guide
upper end mates with the upper seating face, such that the rake
guide lower end mates with the lower seating face, and such that
the lower jacket attachment portion prevents rotation of the rake
guide, wherein the rake guide upper end has a central curved area
between rounded edge areas, wherein the rake guide lower end has a
central curved area between rounded edge areas; and a fastener
coupling the lower jacket, the rake bracket, and the rake guide,
wherein the fastener passes through the aperture of the rake
bracket, the hole of the rake guide, and past the rake guide in the
passage.
16. An adjustable steering column assembly, comprising: a lower
jacket having an attachment portion with an end, a passage
extending from the attachment portion end at least partially
through the attachment portion, the attachment portion end having
upper and lower seating faces extending into the passage, wherein
the attachment portion has a guide rail protruding from the lower
seating face; a rake bracket having a base portion with an arm
extending therefrom, the arm having an aperture; a rake guide
having upper and lower ends and a hole, the upper end having a
configuration complementary to a configuration of the upper seating
face, the lower end having a configuration complementary to a
configuration of the lower seating face, the rake guide being
positioned in the end of the lower jacket attachment portion such
that the rake guide upper end mates with the upper seating face,
such that the rake guide lower end mates with the lower seating
face, and such that the lower jacket attachment portion prevents
rotation of the rake guide; and a fastener coupling the lower
jacket, the rake bracket, and the rake guide, wherein the fastener
passes through the aperture of the rake bracket, the hole of the
rake guide, and past the rake guide in the passage.
17. An adjustable steering column assembly comprising: a lower
jacket having an attachment portion with an end, a passage
extending from the attachment portion end at least partially
through the attachment portion, the attachment portion end having
upper and lower seating faces extending into the passage; a rake
bracket having a base portion with an arm extending therefrom, the
arm having an aperture; a rake guide having upper and lower ends
and a hole, the upper end having a configuration complementary to a
configuration of the upper seating face, the lower end having a
configuration complementary to a configuration of the lower seating
face, the rake guide being positioned in the end of the lower
jacket attachment portion such that the rake guide upper end mates
with the upper seating face and such that the rake guide lower end
mates with the lower seating face, wherein the rake guide has a
guide rail protruding from the lower end; and a fastener coupling
the lower jacket, the rake bracket, and the rake guide, wherein the
fastener passes through the aperture of the rake bracket, the hole
of the rake guide, and past the rake guide in the passage.
Description
FILED OF THE DISCLOSURE
The disclosure relates generally to the field of steering column
assemblies for motor vehicles. More specifically, the disclosure
relates to adjustable steering column assemblies.
SUMMARY
The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in
order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the
disclosure. This summary is not an extensive overview of the
disclosure. It is not intended to identify critical elements of the
disclosure or to delineate the scope of the disclosure. Its sole
purpose is to present some concepts of the disclosure in a
simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that
is presented elsewhere.
According to an embodiment, an adjustable steering column assembly
includes a lower jacket, a rake bracket, a rake guide, and a
fastener. The lower jacket has an attachment portion with an end,
and a passage extends from the attachment portion end at least
partially through the attachment portion. The attachment portion
end has upper and lower seating faces extending into the passage.
The rake bracket has a base portion with an arm extending
therefrom, and the arm has an aperture. The rake guide has upper
and lower ends and a hole. The upper end has a configuration
complementary to a configuration of the upper seating face, the
lower end has a configuration complementary to a configuration of
the lower seating face, and the rake guide is positioned in the end
of the lower jacket attachment portion such that the rake guide
upper end mates with the upper seating face and such that the rake
guide lower end mates with the lower seating face. The fastener
couples the lower jacket, the rake bracket, and the rake guide, and
the fastener passes through the aperture of the rake bracket, the
hole of the rake guide, and past the rake guide in the passage.
In an embodiment, at least one of the following items includes a
low friction coating: the upper seating face of the attachment
portion end, the lower seating face of the attachment portion end,
the upper end of the rake guide, and the lower end of the rake
guide.
In an embodiment, the low friction coating includes at least one of
the following items: sliding lacquer, polytetrafluoretylene (PTFE),
molybdenum disulphide, a plasmapolymeric coating, and graphite.
In an embodiment, at least one of the following items includes a
lubricant pocket containing a lubricant: the upper seating face of
the attachment portion end, the lower seating face of the
attachment portion end, the upper end of the rake guide, and the
lower end of the rake guide.
In an embodiment, the attachment portion lower end has a guide rail
protruding from the lower seating face and the rake guide has a
guide rail protruding from the lower end. The guide rail of the
rake guide has a configuration complementary to a configuration of
the guide rail of the attachment portion lower end, and interaction
between the guide rail of the rake guide and the guide rail of the
attachment portion lower end aids in positioning the rake guide
relative to the attachment portion lower end.
In an embodiment, the attachment portion end has an external
perimeter formed by a continuous line in a single plane, and the
upper and lower seating faces extend inwardly from the external
perimeter into the passage.
In an embodiment, the rake guide upper end has a central curved
area between rounded edge areas, the rake guide lower end has a
central curved area between rounded edge areas, and the guide rail
of the rake guide protrudes from the central curved area of the
rake guide lower end.
In an embodiment, the rake guide upper end has a central curved
area between rounded edge areas, the rake guide lower end has a
central curved area between rounded edge areas, and the central
curved area of the rake guide lower end includes at least one of
the following items: a low friction coating, a lubricant pocket
containing lubricant, and a guide rail.
In an embodiment, multiple pieces collectively form the rake
guide.
In an embodiment, the rake guide is a unitary member.
In an embodiment, a second fastener is coaxial with the fastener,
and the second fastener further couples the lower jacket to the
rake bracket.
In an embodiment, the rake guide lower end and/or the rake guide
upper end includes at least one of the following items: a low
friction coating, a lubricant pocket containing lubricant, and a
guide rail.
In an embodiment, the attachment portion has a guide rail
protruding from the lower seating face.
In an embodiment, the rake guide has a guide rail protruding from
the lower end.
According to another embodiment, an adjustable steering column
assembly includes a lower jacket, a rake bracket, a rake guide, and
a fastener. The lower jacket has an attachment portion with an end,
and the attachment portion end has upper and lower seating faces.
The rake bracket has a base portion with an arm extending
therefrom, and the arm has an aperture. The rake guide has upper
and lower ends and a hole. The upper end has a configuration
complementary to a configuration of the upper seating face, the
lower end has a configuration complementary to a configuration of
the lower seating face, and the rake guide is positioned such that
the rake guide upper end mates with the upper seating face and such
that the rake guide lower end mates with the lower seating face.
The fastener couples the lower jacket, the rake bracket, and the
rake guide, and the fastener passes through the aperture of the
rake bracket and the hole of the rake guide. The rake guide lower
end and/or the rake guide upper end includes at least one of the
following items: a low friction coating and a lubricant pocket
containing lubricant.
In an embodiment, the attachment portion has a guide rail
protruding from the lower seating face.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an adjustable steering column
assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 2 is another perspective view showing the adjustable steering
column assembly of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing the adjustable steering column
assembly of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a partial view taken from FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a section view illustrating a material composition of at
least part of a lower jacket of the adjustable steering column
assembly of FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is an end view of the adjustable steering column assembly of
FIG. 1, with portions being shown in section for illustration.
FIG. 7 is a partial view taken from FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a rake guide of the adjustable
steering column assembly of FIG. 1.
FIG. 9 is a section view illustrating a material composition of at
least part of the rake guide of FIG. 8.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a rake guide, according to another
embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a rake guide, according to still
another embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 12 is a section view showing the rake guide of FIG. 11 in
use.
FIGS. 13 through 15 are perspective views of rake guides, according
to still yet other embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 16 is an exploded view showing the rake guide of FIG. 15 and
an attachment portion, according to another embodiment of the
present disclosure.
FIGS. 17 and 18 are perspective views of rake guides, according to
still further embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 19 is an exploded view showing the rake guide of FIG. 8 and an
attachment portion, according to still another embodiment of the
present disclosure.
FIG. 20 is an end view with portions being shown in section for
illustration, similar to FIG. 6 but with alternate fasteners.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Steering lash refers to a condition in which a steering wheel may
be turned through some part of a revolution without associated
movement of a vehicle's adjustable (typically front) wheels.
Excessive amounts of lash are undesirable, and steering wheel lash
is regulated for safety purposes; example regulations are set forth
at 49 CFR 393.209(b). Lash typically occurs due to clearance
(either from design or wear) in joints between steering components.
But while joints must be held together sufficiently rigidly to
avoid excessive lash, too much rigidity between joins can inhibit
adjustment of the steering system. Moreover, it may be desirable
for joints to be adjustable (i.e., capable of being tuned), as such
adjustment may counteract wear and extend system life. Adjustment
may also be used provide a customized feel to the driver.
FIGS. 1 through 9 illustrate an adjustable steering column assembly
100, according to one embodiment. The steering column assembly 100
broadly includes a mounting bracket 102, a lower jacket 110, an
upper jacket 120, a spindle 130, an adjustment unit 140, and a rake
bracket subassembly 150. Broadly viewed, the upper jacket 120
rotatably supports the spindle (or "steering shaft") 130, the lower
jacket 110 telescopically supports the upper jacket 120, the rake
bracket subassembly 150 supports the lower jacket 110 while
allowing height or tilt of the lower jacket 110 (and thus the upper
jacket 120 and the spindle 130) to be adjusted, the mounting
bracket 102 fastens the rake bracket subassembly 150 to a vehicle's
chassis, and the adjustment unit 140 ultimately changes the
position of the spindle 130 as desired (both in height/tilt and
toward/away from the driver). The upper jacket 120 and the spindle
130 are coaxial along a longitudinal axis X1.
The mounting bracket 102, the upper jacket 120, the spindle 130,
and the adjustment unit 140 may be any such components which are
currently known in steering column assemblies or which are later
developed, and the lower jacket 110 may telescopically support the
upper jacket 120 in any manner which is currently known or later
developed or a non-telescoping configuration may be used. The
adjustment unit 140 may, for example, have one portion 140a for
adjusting height/tilt (e.g., with an electric motor and a driven
spindle, a driven nut, or gearing to tilt the lower jacket 110
relative to the bracket 102) and another portion 140b for adjusting
the spindle 130 along the longitudinal axis X1 (e.g., with an
electric motor and a driven spindle, a driven nut, or gearing to
move the upper jacket 120 along the longitudinal axis X1 relative
to the lower jacket 110). While countless appropriate mounting
brackets, upper jackets, spindles, and telescopic portions of lower
jackets exist, examples are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,090,284 to
Meyer and U.S. Pat. No. 9,327,756 to Rauber, both assigned to
THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, and the contents of each
are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. One of
ordinary skill in the art will thus understand that the spindle 130
may be manually or automatically adjusted for both height and
length.
Focus is now directed to the lower jacket 110 and the rake bracket
subassembly 150, which are more specifically shown in FIGS. 3
through 9. The lower jacket 110 has an attachment portion 112 (see
FIGS. 3 through 6) which may, for example, be configured as a slot
(as shown), and which defines a passage 113 having an axis X2
generally perpendicular and skew to the axis X1. The attachment
portion 112 has opposed ends 112a, 112b, and the passage 113 may
extend fully through the attachment portion 112. The ends 112a,
112b may preferably be substantially similar to, or mirror images
of, one another. In the embodiment 100, each end 112a, 112b is
generally symmetrical about a vertical plane passing through the
axis X2 while the axis X1 is positioned horizontally, and the ends
112a, 112b are substantially the same as one another. As such, only
the end 112a is discussed in further specific detail.
As shown in FIG. 4, the end 112a has an external perimeter 114 and
upper and lower seating faces 114a, 114b. The external perimeter
114 may be unbroken (i.e., formed by a continuous line in a single
plane) and generally rectangular, and the upper and lower seating
faces 114a, 114b extend inwardly from the external perimeter 114
into the passage 113. The passage 113 is generally defined by
opposed sidewalls 113a, 113b which extend to the perimeter 114 and
opposed top and bottom walls 113c, 113d, and the seating faces
114a, 114b in embodiment 100 include central curved areas 115a,
115b and rounded edge areas 116a, 116b.
It may be particularly desirable for the seating faces 114a, 114b
and at least a portion of the sidewalls 113a, 113b adjacent the
perimeter 114 to have a low-friction (i.e., friction reducing)
coating 117b over a metal or composite structural core 117a (as
shown in FIG. 5), and in some embodiments it may be desirable for
the entire attachment portion 112 to have the metal or composite
core 117a and the low-friction coating 117b. The low-friction
coating 117b may include, for example, one or more of: sliding
lacquer, polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE), molybdenum disulphide, a
plasmapolymeric coating, and graphite.
Turning now to the rake bracket subassembly 150, the rake bracket
subassembly 150 has a bracket 152, rake guides 162, bushings 172
each having an axial portion 172a and a flange 172b, and a fastener
176. The bracket 152 (best shown in FIG. 3) has an upper (or
"base") portion 153 with lateral ends 154a, 154b, and arms 155a,
155b extend downwardly from the respective ends 154a, 154b. Each
arm 155a, 155b has a coaxial hole 156 sized to pass part of the
fastener 176 therethrough, and the arms 155a, 155b are configured
such that the arms 155a, 155b may extend on opposite sides of the
attachment portion 112 when the holes 156 are aligned with the axis
X2. It may be desirable for each of the arms 155a, 155b to have a
generally planar interior face 157a, 157b, and for the generally
planar interior faces 157a, 157b to be generally parallel to one
another.
In the embodiment 100, the rake guides 162 are substantially
similar to one another, just as the ends 112a, 112b are
substantially similar to one another; in other embodiments this
need not be the case, though the rake guides 162 are configured to
respectively be complementary to the ends 112a, 112b. As shown in
FIGS. 4 and 8, each rake guide 162 has a generally planar distal
face 163, opposed generally planar sides 164, upper and lower ends
165a, 165b, and a hole 168 configured to pass part of the fastener
176 therethrough. The distal face 163 has a seat 163a (FIG. 4) for
receiving the flange 172b (FIG. 3) of a respective bushing 172. And
the upper and lower ends 165a, 165b are complementary to the
seating faces 114a, 114b. More particularly, the upper and lower
ends 165a, 165b have central curved areas 166a, 166b and rounded
edge areas 167a, 167b that are respectively complementary to the
central curved areas 115a, 115b and the rounded edge areas 116a,
116b.
It may be particularly desirable for the upper and lower ends 165a,
165b and the sides 164 to have a low friction (i.e., friction
reducing) coating 169b over a metal or composite structural core
169a (as shown in FIG. 9), and in some embodiments it may be
desirable for the entire rake guide 162 to have the metal or
composite core 169a and the low friction coating 169b. The
low-friction coating 169b may include, for example, one or more of:
sliding lacquer, polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE), molybdenum
disulphide, a plasmapolymeric coating, and graphite.
In use, the rake guides 162 are respectively positioned in the
lower jacket attachment portion 112. More particularly, each upper
end 165a abuts a respective upper seating face 114a (with the upper
central curved areas 166a and the rounded edge areas 167a abutting
the upper central curved areas 115a and the rounded edge areas
116a), each lower end 165b abuts a respective lower seating face
114b (with the lower central curved areas 166b and the rounded edge
areas 167b abutting the lower central curved areas 115b and the
rounded edge areas 116b), and the sides 164 abutting the sidewalls
113a, 113b. Positioning of the rake guides 162 in the attachment
portion 112 may allow the rake guides 162 to move along the axis X2
while being generally constrained rotationally and in other linear
directions. The coatings 117b, 169b may allow the rake guides 162
to be positioned with little friction or resistance.
Once the rake guides 162 are in place, the bushings 172 are passed
through the rake guide holes 168, the bracket holes 156 are aligned
with the rake guide holes 168, and the fastener (e.g., bolt) 176
may pass through the bracket holes 156, the rake guide holes 168,
and the passage 113 to fasten the rake bracket 152 to the lower
jacket 110. The fastener 176 may be secured using a nut, by
caulking an end of the fastener 176, or through any other
appropriate device or method, whether now known or later
developed.
Use of the described embodiments may provide desirable steering
lash performance. And if the lash performance becomes undesirable,
the rake guides 162 and/or the bushings 172 may be replaced or
repaired. The low friction between the rake guides 162 and the
lower jacket attachment portion 112 (e.g., resulting from the
coatings 117b, 169b) may further aid in expanding the useful life
of the adjustable steering column assembly 100.
FIG. 10 shows another rake guide 262 according to an embodiment of
the current disclosure, for use with the adjustable steering column
assembly 100 as a replacement for the rake guide 162. The rake
guide 262 is substantially similar to the rake guide 162 described
above, except as specifically noted and/or shown, or as would be
inherent. Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that
the embodiment 100 (including the rake guide 162) may be modified
in various ways, such as through incorporating all or part of any
of the various described embodiments, for example. For uniformity
and brevity, reference numbers from 200 to 299 may be used to
indicate elements corresponding to those discussed above numbered
from 100 to 199 (e.g., sides 264 correspond generally to the sides
164; upper and lower ends 265a, 265b correspond generally to the
upper and lower ends 165a, 165b; central curved areas 266a, 266b
correspond generally to the central curved areas 166a, 166b;
rounded edge areas 267a, 267b correspond generally to the rounded
edge areas 167a, 167b; hole 268 corresponds generally to the hole
168; et cetera), though with any noted, shown, or inherent
deviations.
The rake guide 262 primarily differs from the rake guide 162 by
including at least one lubricant pocket 261 on the central curved
areas 266a, 266b. In some embodiments, the rake guide 262 may
include the lubricant pockets 261 on only one (not both) of the
central curved areas 266a, 266b. Multiple lubricant pockets 261 may
be located in a pattern or randomly, and may each be of the same or
different shapes and sizes. But each of the lubricant pockets 261
extends inwardly away from the outer surface of the rake guide 262.
The lubricant pockets 261 may include a grease lubricant 261a or a
lubricating oil. In use, the lubricant 261a in the lubricant
pockets 261 may further reduce friction between the rake guide 262
and the lower jacket attachment portion 112. In some embodiments,
the lubricant pockets 261 and the grease lubricant 261a may be
sufficient such that the rake guide 262 does not include a coating
equivalent to the coating 169b. In other embodiments, the rake
guide 262 may include both a low-friction coating 269b
substantially similar to the low-friction coating 169b and one or
more of the lubricant pockets 261, as such embodiments may improve
performance over embodiments which have neither the low-friction
coating nor a lubricant pocket, which have only the low-friction
coating, and which have only the lubricant pocket.
FIGS. 11 and 12 show another rake guide 362 and attachment portion
end 312a according to another embodiment of the current disclosure,
for use with the adjustable steering column assembly 100 as a
replacement for the rake guide 162 and the attachment portion end
112a. The rake guide 362 and the attachment portion end 312a are
substantially similar to the rake guide 162 and the attachment
portion end 112a described above, except as specifically noted
and/or shown, or as would be inherent. Further, those skilled in
the art will appreciate that the embodiment 100 (including the rake
guide 162 and the attachment portion end 112a) may be modified in
various ways, such as through incorporating all or part of any of
the various described embodiments, for example. For uniformity and
brevity, reference numbers from 300 to 399 may be used to indicate
elements corresponding to those discussed above numbered from 100
to 199 (e.g., sides 364 correspond generally to the sides 164;
upper and lower ends 365a, 365b correspond generally to the upper
and lower ends 165a, 165b; hole 368 corresponds generally to the
hole 168; et cetera), though with any noted, shown, or inherent
deviations.
The rake guide 362 and the attachment portion end 312a primarily
differ from the rake guide 162 and the attachment portion end 112a
in the configuration used to seat the rake guide 362 in the
attachment portion end 312a. More particularly, instead of having
rounded and curved areas 166a, 166b, 167a, 167b which seat in a
correspondingly-shaped end 112a (see FIGS. 4 and 8), the rake guide
362 has generally planar abutting faces 366a, 366b and the
attachment portion end 312a has complementary upper and lower
seating faces 314a, 314b. As with the other embodiments, the rake
guide 362 and/or the abutting faces 366a, 366b may include a
low-friction coating 317b, 369b substantially similar to the
low-friction coatings 117b, 169b. And, as shown in FIG. 13, an
embodiment 362' of the rake guide 362 may include at least one
lubricant pocket 361 with lubricant 361a on the abutting faces
366a, 366b, substantially similar to the lubricant pockets 261 and
the grease lubricant 261a. And, as discussed above regarding the
rake guide 262, the rake guides 362, 362' may or may not have the
low-friction coating 317b.
FIG. 14 very simply illustrates another rake guide 462 for use with
the adjustable steering column assembly 100 as a replacement for
the rake guide 162. The primary teaching of the rake guide 462 is
that the rake guide 462 may be constructed as multiple pieces 462a,
462b which are collectively used to form the rake guide 462. While
the pieces 462a, 462b of the rake guide 462 are of generally the
same size and mirror images to one another, in other embodiments
one piece may be substantially larger than the other (and may, for
example, define entire hole 468). This teaching of multiple pieces
462a, 462b collectively forming the rake guide 462 is equally
applicable to the other rake guides disclosed herein, and those
skilled in the art will appreciate that each may be modified in
this way.
FIGS. 15 and 16 show another rake guide 562 and attachment portion
end 512a according to another embodiment of the current disclosure,
for use with the adjustable steering column assembly 100 as a
replacement for the rake guide 162 and the attachment portion end
112a. The rake guide 562 and the attachment portion end 512a are
substantially similar to the rake guide 162 and the attachment
portion end 112a described above, except as specifically noted
and/or shown, or as would be inherent. Further, those skilled in
the art will appreciate that the embodiment 100 (including the rake
guide 162 and the attachment portion end 112a) may be modified in
various ways, such as through incorporating all or part of any of
the various described embodiments, for example. For uniformity and
brevity, reference numbers from 500 to 599 may be used to indicate
elements corresponding to those discussed above numbered from 100
to 199 (e.g., upper and lower ends 565a, 565b correspond generally
to the upper and lower ends 165a, 165b; central curved areas 566a,
566b correspond generally to the central curved areas 166a, 166b;
attachment portion ends 512a, 512b correspond generally to the
attachment portion ends 112a, 112b; seating faces 514a, 514b
correspond generally to the seating faces 114a, 114b; et cetera),
though with any noted, shown, or inherent deviations.
The rake guide 562 and the attachment portion ends 512a, 512b
primarily differ from the rake guides 162 and the attachment
portion ends 112a, 112b in the inclusion of guide protrusions (or
"guide rails"). More particularly, a guide rail 561 extends from
each central curved area 566a, 566b of the rake guide 562, and the
seating faces 514a, 514b each include a guide rail 519
complementary to the guide rails 561. Interaction between the guide
rails 561, 519 may help positioning and maintaining position of the
rake guides 562. In some embodiments, only the lower seating faces
514b may include guide rails 519, and in such embodiments, the
upper central curved areas 566a may or may not include guide rails
561. The guide rails thus form discrete contact sections between
the rake guides and the seating faces.
FIG. 17 illustrates that other configurations of rake guides 662
(different from the rake guides 562) may also include guide rails
661, and FIG. 18 illustrates that rake guides 762 (as well as any
of the other rake guides disclosed herein) may have additional
guide rails 761. If additional guides rails 761 are included, the
corresponding seating faces may similarly include additional guide
rails.
FIG. 19 shows another attachment portion end 812a according to
another embodiment of the current disclosure, for use with the
adjustable steering column assembly 100 as a replacement for the
attachment portion end 112a. The attachment portion end 812a is
substantially similar to the attachment portion end 112a described
above, except as specifically noted and/or shown, or as would be
inherent. Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that
the embodiment 100 (including the attachment portion end 112a) may
be modified in various ways, such as through incorporating all or
part of any of the various described embodiments, for example. For
uniformity and brevity, reference numbers from 800 to 899 may be
used to indicate elements corresponding to those discussed above
numbered from 100 to 199 (e.g., seating faces 814a, 814b correspond
generally to seating faces 114a, 114b, et cetera), though with any
noted, shown, or inherent deviations.
The attachment portion end 812a primarily differs from the
attachment portion end 112a in that at least one of the seating
faces 814a, 814b includes at least one lubricant pocket 861 with
lubricant 861a. The lubricant pockets 861 and the grease lubricant
861a may be substantially similar to the lubricant pockets 261 and
the grease lubricant 261a discussed above. And, as discussed above
regarding the rake guide 262, the seating faces 114a, 114b may or
may not have the low-friction coating 369b if the lubricant pockets
861 and the grease lubricant 861a are included. In use, the
lubricant 861a in the lubricant pockets 861 may further reduce
friction between the rake guide 162 and the lower jacket attachment
portion end 812a.
FIG. 20 very simply illustrates that instead of a single fastener
176 (e.g., a bolt or other appropriate fastener) being used to pin
or otherwise secure the rake bracket assembly 150 to the lower
jacket 110 (as shown in FIG. 6), multiple fasteners 176' (e.g.,
bolts or other appropriate fasteners) may be used.
Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as
well as components not shown, are possible without departing from
the spirit and scope of the present invention. Embodiments of the
present invention have been described with the intent to be
illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will
become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from
its scope. A skilled artisan may develop alternative means of
implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from
the scope of the present invention. It will be understood that
certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be
employed without reference to other features and subcombinations
and are contemplated within the scope of the claims.
* * * * *